U.S. Senate Press Photographers' Gallery

Jeffrey S. Kent, Director

Mark Abraham, Deputy Director

Tricia Russell, Assistant Director *

Office: S-317, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC 20510, (202) 224-6548

Studio: 151 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510, (202) 224-4204 *

 

COVERAGE GUIDELINES FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

 

A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR:

Dear Gallery Member:

Recently, some newspaper reporters and photographers have been asked by their organization to use video to file multi-media stories for their web sites. We remind you that use of video cameras in the Capitol complex is restricted. If your organization is considering having you record video, please contact us. For further information regarding coverage rules, please visit the Senate TV/Radio Gallery Web site.

 

Sincerely,

Jeff Kent

Director, Press Photographers Gallery

 

THE CAPITOL BUILDING


Photographs may be made in the public areas of the Capitol under the following rules:
Prior Permission of the Senator or Representative being photographed is required.
For photographs not including senators or representatives, please check with the Gallery staff for proper procedures to secure necessary permission.
Use of tripods in public areas is restricted. Permission for their use must be obtained from the Capitol Police, Room ST-9/U.S. Capitol.

THE SENATE


Access to the Senate floor is prohibited. The taking of pictures of any kind is prohibited in the Senate Chamber, the Senate Reading rooms (marble room and Lobby), the Senate cloakrooms, the private dining rooms of the Senate, and in the hallways on the third floor. (Senate Rule IV) Photographing through or toward the Chamber doors is prohibited. Accredited photographers can place requests for Senators at the northwest entrance to the chamber. Photographers may accompany Senators into the President's room for photographs.

SECOND FLOOR OUTSIDE SENATE CHAMBER


Photographers may stand along the south side of the Ohio Clock corridor to contact Senators but must secure permission before photographing. Photographers may wait east of the elevators to contact Senators and photograph them with their permission. During formal stakeouts and party caucus luncheons, photographers must wait in stakeout areas, except to accompany the Senator with his or her permission. Due to space limitations, organizations may be requested not to have more than one photographer at the stake out area in the Ohio Clock corridor. Photographers are to avoid impeding access along these corridors.

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES


No photographers are permitted in the House Chamber except on special occasions such as the Joint Meetings of Congress, State of the Union addresses, etc. Admittance on such occasions is limited and requires special credentials.
Photographing through or toward the Chamber doors is prohibited.
Accredited photographers may request members to leave the floor by placing requests for Democratic members with the doormen at the East entrance to the Speaker's Lobby and for Republican members at the West entrance.
Photographers asking members to leave the Floor must wear jackets and ties to access the Speaker's Lobby to place such requests. Unless special permission is obtained from the Speaker's office, no photographs may be made in the corridors adjacent to the House chamber. Members should be taken outside, to the Rayburn Reception Room or to the Will Roger's corridor for such photographs.

COMMITTEE HEARINGS


Generally photographs are permitted at open hearings, however, each committee establishes its own rules governing photo coverage. Photographers are usually allowed in committees wells, but should remain below the top of the dais and not between the witness and members of the committee. The use of cellular phones and other electronic communication devices is prohibited in the committee well. It is the Gallery's right to limit the number of still photographers in a committee's well.

HOUSE HEARINGS


" Still photography of open House hearings may be permitted by vote of the committee. No witness shall be required against his/her will to be photographed at any hearings. Not more than five press photographers shall be permitted to cover a hearing by still photography. In the selection of these photographers, preference shall be given to photographers representing The Associated Press. If a request is made by more than five of the media for coverage of the hearing by still photography, that coverage shall be made on the basis of a fair and equitable pool arrangement devised by the Standing Committee of Press Photographers. Photographers shall not position themselves, at any time during the course of the hearings, between the witness table and the members of the committee or in positions which obstruct unnecessarily the coverage of the hearing by other media. Personnel providing coverage by still photography must be accredited by the Press Photographers' Gallery." (The above information is consolidated from House Rules. Limitations imposed on the still photographers are seldom enforced. However, members should be aware of their existence. Any disruptive behavior or inappropriate attire can be reason for a committee to enforce the rules.)

 

SENATE HEARINGS


Each committee has its own rules for still photography. It is the obligation of the photographer to know these rules or to check with gallery staff or the relevant committee for these rules. Any questions regarding these guidelines should be directed to the Press Photographers' Gallery staff.


OTHER INFORMATION


ACCESS TO CHAMBERS

A portion of each chamber on the gallery level is reserved for press use. Photographers, with the permission of the superintendent of the Press galleries, may use these galleries to observe the proceedings.When present in either chamber, the possession or use of photographic, recording, transmitting, or binocular equipment is prohibited. Smoking, reading of newspapers, and audible conversation is not permitted.

CHANGE OF AFFILIATION


Photographers changing affiliation on which current accreditation is based must reapply for membership.

PARKING

The Senate and House of Representatives are not obligated to provide parking for photographers covering the Congress. Check with Gallery staff for information.

RESTAURANT FACILITIES

 

Special tables in both the House and Senate restaurants are reserved for use by the media galleries. Members are requested to consider others by vacating seats as soon as possible and are reminded that guests may not be invited during peak hours.



STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

THE STANDING COMMITTEE REQUESTS ALL STILL PHOTOGRAPHERS COVERING ACTIVITIES OF THE CONGRESS CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN AN ORDERLY AND UNOBTRUSIVE MANNER. PHOTOGRAPHERS MUST ACT AND DRESS IN STRICT CONFORMITY WITH AND OBSERVANCE OF THE ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF DIGNITY, PROPRIETY, COURTESY, AND DECORUM TRADITIONALLY RESERVED FOR THE CONGRESS IN ITS OPERATIONS. THE STANDING COMMITTEE REMINDS MEMBERS THAT INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR AND ATTIRE MAY RESULT IN LIMITATIONS BEING IMPOSED ON ACCESS AND COVERAGE.